New Orleans Pelicans: 3 trades team should make before deadline
3. Otto Porter Jr.
It is no secret the New Orleans Pelicans could use wing help. They have been relying on a group effort from players like E’Twaun Moore, Darius Miller, Solomon Hill and Wesley Johnson. Of those players, Moore is the only one who is a net positive per 100 possessions. Even though he is the more effective of the team’s options, Moore is better suited and spends more of his time at the shooting guard role.
Going after Otto Porter Jr. would give the Pelicans a legitimate starting option at small forward. Though the Washington Wizards have found success lately bringing him off the bench, Porter is head and shoulders better than the current personnel for New Orleans. Bradley Beal has been great, but not enough to keep the Wizards’ playoff hopes looking promising. While Beal is still seemingly untouchable, it’s looking like Washington could be ready to part ways with Porter, per The Athletic‘s Shams Charania.
His numbers have seen a slight backslide this year, but are still solid and consistent with New Orleans’ needs. Playing 28.9 minutes per game, the 25-year-old has been averaging 13.0 points, 5.7 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.5 steals per game. After starting the season colder than usual from deep, he is now shooting 40.3 percent from the perimeter on 1.6 3s per game. Porter would also bring a little extra height and length, raising the ceiling on the Pelicans’ team defense.
The only downside for brining in Otto Porter Jr. is the hefty, long-term contract attached to him. For New Orleans, that should be a problem for another day, especially if it’s able to send out some troubling salary of its own. The inclusion of Jeff Green would keep the Pelicans from creating depth concerns, as well as bring in a player with playoff experience.
It could be tough to part with two first round picks — even if one is protected — but that would allow the team to retain its valuable roster pieces. Plus, if the doomsday ever comes, a trade sending out Davis would make replacing those picks fairly easy.